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Alabama Veteran benefits

23 benefits from Alabama for Veterans and their families, on top of what VA gives. Many need no disability rating.

Each one says who qualifies, how to apply, the official link, and the date we last checked it. Rules change, so the official page has the final word.

Free help in Alabama

Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs is the state Veterans agency. They can tell you what you qualify for and help you apply.

Call 334-242-5077 State agency website

A Veterans service officer (VSO) helps with VA claims and state benefits for free.

Find a service officer near you Alabama's list of local offices
Your VA disability rating
Who is it for?

23 benefits

Property tax

  • 100% P&T

    Homestead Exemption for Permanently and Totally Disabled Persons

    Alabama fully exempts the main home and the land around it from all state, county and city property taxes for anyone who is permanently and totally disabled, including veterans with that status, at any age or income. It also covers people 65 or older with limited income.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: 100% VA rating that is Permanent and Total (P&T). Must be permanently and totally disabled (any age, no income limit) or 65 or older with net annual taxable income of $12,000 or less; must own and occupy the home as principal residence.
    How to apply
    File a homestead exemption claim with the county tax assessing official; verification required after initial qualification per law.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Property Tax Exemption for Specially Adapted Housing Grant Homes

    The home of a veteran who got it with a VA Specially Adapted Housing grant pays no Alabama property tax at all, with no value limit. This continues for the veteran's unremarried widow or widower.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran (or unremarried widow or widower) who owns and lives in a home bought with a VA Specially Adapted Housing grant.
    How to apply
    Apply through the county tax assessing official; provide proof of the VA specially adapted housing grant.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026. Law: 38 U.S.C. 701 and Chapter 12.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Surviving Spouse Property Tax Exemption for VA Specially Adapted Housing Grant Homes

    Homes acquired through VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grants are fully exempt from all Alabama property taxes regardless of value. This exemption transfers to the surviving unremarried spouse as long as they continue to occupy the property.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran who purchased home with VA Specially Adapted Housing Grant, if continuing to occupy the property.
    How to apply
    Contact county tax assessor's office to transfer exemption to surviving spouse name.
    Official page

    Last checked October 3, 2026.

Income tax, retirement pay and other taxes

  • No rating needed

    Military Retirement Pay Income Tax Exemption

    Alabama exempts military retirement pay from state, county and municipal income tax. The law phased in full exemption over time and, since 1989, all such retirement payments are exempt for every tax year after that.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Any person retired from the military services of the United States receiving retirement benefit or compensation, and survivor benefits derived therefrom.
    How to apply
    No special application; exclude exempt military retirement income when filing the Alabama individual income tax return.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Vehicles, driver's licenses and plates

  • Certain disabilities

    Disability Access Parking Credentials for Military and Veteran License Plates

    Alabama allows most of its military and veteran distinctive license plates to also carry disability access (handicap) parking privileges, letting a qualifying plate holder park in designated accessible spaces. A standard Disabled Veteran plate alone does not automatically grant this access—an Application for Disability Access Parking Credentials must be filed to add the parking decal.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: Certain serious disabilities (see who qualifies). Available to holders of most Alabama military/veteran distinctive license plates; excludes the Active Reserve and Alabama State Defense Force plates. Applicant must qualify for and submit a Disability Access Parking Credentials application (which requires certification of a qualifying mobility disability).
    Requires a separate Disability Access Parking Credentials application/certification of a qualifying mobility disability; not granted automatically by holding a Disabled Veteran plate, and not available on Active Reserve or Alabama State Defense Force plates.
    How to apply
    Submit the Alabama Department of Revenue's Application for Disability Access Parking Credentials along with required medical/disability certification to obtain the disability access decal for an eligible military/veteran plate.
    Official page

    Last checked September 29, 2026.

  • Any rating

    Disabled Veteran License Plate Fee Exemption

    Resident service-connected disabled veterans can get a Disabled Veteran license plate; the first plate is exempt from registration fees and license plate issuance fees. Veterans rated 51% or higher may obtain additional plates for a small annual fee.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: Any VA service-connected rating, even 0%. Alabama resident who is a service-connected disabled veteran, verified with a VA disability rating certification.
    What you get at each level
    • First plate exempt from registration and issuance fees
    • Additional plates for small annual fee
    How to apply
    Apply at the county license plate issuing official (probate office/license commissioner) with VA disability rating certification and required proof of service.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • Any rating

    Exemption for Vehicles Paid for by VA Grant

    A disabled veteran who owns a car paid for in whole or part by VA pays no license fees and no vehicle property tax on that car, as long as it is for private use only.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: Any VA service-connected rating, even 0%. Disabled veteran of a declared or undeclared conflict whose automobile was all or partly paid for with funds furnished by the VA; vehicle must be for private use only.
    How to apply
    Apply for the exemption with the probate judge of the county where the veteran resides, using Department of Revenue application forms.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Medal of Honor License Plate

    Alabama residents who received the Medal of Honor (or their surviving spouse) can get a permanent Medal of Honor license plate. The first plate is free of registration fees and vehicle property tax for life.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Alabama resident Medal of Honor recipient, certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs; surviving spouse may also obtain or retain the plate.
    How to apply
    Apply through the county license plate issuing official with required VA certification under Section 32-6-350(d).
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Veteran Designation on Alabama Driver License

    Alabama veterans can add a special 'Veteran' designation to their state driver license or ID card to show proof of military service. There is no extra fee for this designation when obtained with a first-time license or at a normal renewal.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veterans who received an Honorable Discharge or a General Under Honorable Conditions Discharge are eligible; applicant must present a DD-214, NGB-22, DD-2, or retired ID card as proof of service at a driver license issuing office.
    How to apply
    Visit any Alabama driver license issuing office and present a DD-214 (or NA13038), NGB-22, DD-2, or retired military ID card. If added before the normal renewal date, the standard duplicate-license fee applies.
    Official page

    Last checked September 29, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Gold Star Family License Plate

    Alabama offers a Gold Star Family license plate to close family of a service member who died on active duty. The first plate is free. It also waives the registration fee and vehicle property tax on one car or pickup.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Alabama resident who owns the vehicle. You must be immediate family of someone who died while on active duty in any U.S. military branch. This includes a spouse, parent, stepparent, adoptive or foster parent, sibling or half-sibling, child or stepchild, grandparent, legal guardian, or next of kin named by the Department of Defense.
    How to apply
    Apply at your county license plate office (judge of probate or license commissioner). Bring DD Form 1300 or DD Form 2064. If you are not listed as next of kin on that form, also bring a notarized affidavit from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Vehicle Registration Fee/License Tax Exemption for National Guard, Reserve Component, Retired Service Members and Gold Star Families

    Alabama gives some military families a break on vehicle license tax and registration fees for one vehicle: active National Guard and Reserve members, retired Alabama National Guard members with 20+ years, and families with the Alabama Gold Star Family plate (who also skip vehicle property tax). No disability rating is needed.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Active members of a U.S. Armed Forces reserve unit; a retired member of the Alabama National Guard with 20 or more years of service; or someone who has the Alabama Gold Star Family license plate.
    How to apply
    Present proper identification/forms (e.g., forms prescribed by the Adjutant General for Guard members) at your county license plate issuing office (Revenue Commissioner/Probate Judge) when registering the vehicle; contact the Alabama Department of Revenue for details.
    Official page

    Last checked September 29, 2026. Law: Ala. Code § 40-12-244.

Hunting, fishing and parks

  • 20%+

    Disabled Military Veteran's Appreciation Fishing License (Annual)

    Alabama resident veterans certified by the VA as 20% or more disabled can buy a reduced-price annual freshwater or saltwater fishing license in place of the standard resident fishing license. This is a separate, lower-tier annual license from the state's lifetime veteran license and the disabled hunting license.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 20% or higher. Must be an Alabama resident U.S. military veteran certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as 20 percent or more disabled; must present a valid Alabama driver license or proof of residence for non-drivers.
    How to apply
    Apply at your county Probate Office, License Commissioner's office, or an Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries district office, or by mail to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, presenting a VA letter certifying disability rating.
    Official page

    Last checked September 29, 2026.

  • 50%+

    Disabled Military Veteran's Appreciation Hunting License

    Alabama offers a discounted Annual Military Veteran's Appreciation Hunting License to resident veterans with at least a 50% disability rating, and a no-cost hunting license to veterans certified 100% service-connected disabled by the VA.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 50% or higher. Alabama resident veteran with a VA-certified disability rating of at least 50% (for the discounted license) or 100% (for the no-cost license); must show VA letter of disability rating.
    What you get at each level
    • Discounted Annual Military Veteran's Appreciation Hunting License
    • No-cost hunting license
    How to apply
    Apply at your local probate office, license commissioner, or by mail from the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • Any rating

    Lifetime Disabled Military Veteran's Appreciation License

    Qualifying disabled military veterans may purchase a lifetime hunting, freshwater fishing, or saltwater fishing license instead of buying one every year, at a set one-time fee that is lower for veterans age 50 or older.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: Any VA service-connected rating, even 0%. U.S. military veteran meeting the disability and residency requirements under Alabama's veteran fishing/hunting license laws.
    How to apply
    Apply through ADCNR using the Lifetime License application, available at probate offices or by mail.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Parks for Patriots Free State Park Admission

    Alabama State Parks provide free year-round admission for veterans and active-duty service members from any branch of the U.S. military under the Parks for Patriots program, funded partly by public sponsorship contributions.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veterans and active-duty personnel of any branch of the U.S. military, with proper proof of service.
    How to apply
    Present proof of military service at the park gate; no separate application required.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

School and tuition

  • No rating needed

    Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (ANGEAP)

    ANGEAP is a state student assistance program that provides tuition and educational-fee financial assistance to Alabama National Guard members attending accredited public postsecondary institutions within Alabama, based on financial need.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be an active member in good standing of a federally recognized unit of the Alabama National Guard, a resident of Alabama, enrolled in a certificate or degree program at an accredited community college, technical college, college, or university in Alabama, complete the FAFSA, and maintain minimum GPA requirements; award amounts are reduced by federal veterans benefits already received.
    How to apply
    Complete the FAFSA and submit the ANGEAP application form each semester, signed by a representative of the Alabama Military Department and the school's financial aid officer, through the Alabama Commission on Higher Education's Military Educational Benefits program.
    Official page

    Last checked September 29, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Purple Heart Recipient Tuition and Fee Waiver

    Alabama public colleges, universities and technical/community colleges may waive undergraduate tuition and fees for veterans who received the Purple Heart, covering up to 125 percent of the required credit hours for their degree or certificate.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran who received the Purple Heart, is/was an Alabama resident at the time of the military action resulting in the award, and submits DD-214 documentation; benefit applies after other non-veteran-funded education benefits (e.g., Montgomery GI Bill) are used.
    How to apply
    Submit DD-214 documentation of the Purple Heart award to the public institution of higher education's admissions/veterans office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • 40%+For family or survivors

    Alabama G.I. Dependents' Scholarship Program

    This ADVA-administered program pays tuition, required books and instructional fees for qualifying dependents (children, stepchildren, spouses, and un-remarried widow(er)s) of disabled, killed, MIA, or POW Alabama veterans at eligible in-state schools.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 40% or higher. Veteran must have been an Alabama resident before service, served at least 90 days active duty (or been discharged earlier for a service-connected disability), and be rated 40% or more service-connected disabled (or meet other qualifying criteria such as KIA/MIA/POW). Dependents must be Alabama residents attending an eligible school.
    How to apply
    Apply online through the Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Portal or at any of ADVA's Veterans Service Offices statewide.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Jobs and hiring preference

  • No rating needed

    State Employment Veterans' Preference

    Alabama adds preference points to state civil-service exam scores for veterans applying to classified state jobs: 5 points for honorably discharged veterans and 10 points for those with a service-connected disability (also extended to certain spouses/widows). Preference-holders are also protected from reductions in force ahead of non-preference employees.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Honorably discharged from U.S. armed forces (5 points); veterans with an existing service-connected disability entitled to VA compensation/pension (10 points); certain wives/widows of qualifying disabled or deceased veterans may also receive the 10-point preference.
    What you get at each level
    • 5 points for honorably discharged veterans
    • 10 points for veterans with service-connected disability entitled to VA compensation/pension
    How to apply
    Indicate veteran's preference on the State of Alabama job application and attach DD-214 and, if claiming disability preference, a current VA disability letter.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Business certification and contracts

  • 25%+

    Business and Occupational License Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans

    Alabama allows honorably discharged, wartime-era veterans with a physical disability of 25% or more (service-connected or not) to pay a reduced flat fee instead of the normal state, county, and municipal business or occupational license tax on a business they personally operate. The reduced license is limited to veterans of modest means and is not transferable.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 25% or higher. Alabama resident veteran who served in a listed war or period of hostilities (including WWI, WWII, or any other declared or undeclared conflict), is honorably discharged, and is at least 25% physically disabled; the exemption does not apply if the veteran's real and personal property is valued at $5,000 or more or net income is $2,500 or more.
    How to apply
    Apply for the discounted business/occupational license through the county probate judge or county license commissioner where the business is operated, providing proof of honorable discharge and disability.
    Official page

    Last checked September 29, 2026.

  • Certain disabilities

    Veteran-Owned Business Preferred Vendor Preference in State Procurement

    Businesses that are more than 50% owned by a qualifying veteran can be designated a 'preferred vendor' in Alabama state purchasing, allowing the awarding authority to award a contract to the veteran-owned business even if its bid is up to a set percentage higher than the lowest responsible bid.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: Certain serious disabilities (see who qualifies). Business must be physically located in Alabama and more than 50% owned by a person discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable who has at least 24 months' active service in the U.S. military, naval, or air service; or, with less than 24 months of active service, was separated with a service-connected disability; or is a National Guard member/reservist who completed active federal service (not for training) or served at least 180 days of continuous non-training service.
    A service-connected disability is only required as an alternate qualifying path for veterans with less than 24 months of active service who were separated due to that disability; veterans with 24+ months of qualifying service need no disability rating.
    How to apply
    Businesses seek preferred-vendor designation through the Alabama state procurement/purchasing process (Chief Procurement Officer or awarding agency) when bidding on applicable state contracts.
    Official page

    Last checked September 29, 2026.

Homes, Veterans homes and cemeteries

  • No rating needed

    Alabama State Veterans Homes

    Alabama operates state veterans homes (skilled nursing/long-term care facilities) owned by the state and overseen by the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA), with care provided by a contracted private health care operator. The homes provide long-term skilled nursing care to eligible Alabama veterans.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be honorably discharged from military service with a minimum of 90 days of active service with at least one day during a wartime period; must meet USDVA criteria for skilled nursing care; must have been a resident of Alabama for the immediate past 12 months; applicants may not have medical or nursing care needs the home is not equipped to provide.
    How to apply
    Submit a completed ADVA Form 33 application package (including DD-214, VA Form 10-10SH/10-10EZ, and ADVA Assessment for Level of Care/Mental Illness) directly to the veterans home applied to, or return it to a County Veterans Service Office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 29, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort

    ADVA operates a state veterans cemetery at Spanish Fort offering burial for eligible veterans and their spouses, including a committal service. Free pre-registration is available to establish eligibility in advance without any obligation to be interred there.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be a legal resident of Alabama at time of death or at time of entry into the Armed Forces (or meet other NCA-based service and discharge eligibility rules); spouses require service documentation of the veteran plus a marriage certificate.
    How to apply
    Contact the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort directly, or pre-register through ADVA; no cost for pre-registration.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Also check

Education only. Helping The Brave is not a government agency. Confirm details with the agency before you apply.